Telugu Titans vs Patna Pirates: The Telugu Titans put an end to Patna Pirates’ impressive winning streak with a convincing 46-39 win in Eliminator 3 of PKL Season 12, held at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Star raider Bharat Hooda took charge with a 23-point effort, pushing the Titans into Qualifier 2, where they will take on Puneri Paltan on Wednesday, October 29, for a place in the season finale.
Ayan Lohchab’s Record-Breaking Season Ends in Defeat
Even after the loss, Patna Pirates’ young star Ayan Lohchab continued to write his name in the records. The star raider was the first ever player in PKL history to achieve 20+ points in six matches in one season.
He finished PKL 12 with 316 raid points, a whopping 132 higher than last season (184), and was instrumental in the Pirates’ eight-match winning streak going into the Eliminator.
First Half: Ayan is on Fire Early, but Bharat Ignites Titans Rebound
The game started off at a furious tempo, with both sides exchanging early blows. Ayan Lohchab got early raid points against Ankit and Praful Zaware, while Navdeep’s tackle against Titans’ captain Vijay Malik suffered the first ALL OUT within six minutes, putting the Pirates 13-9 up in the first quarter.
But Bharat Hooda changed the equations soon. A series of raids that included touches on Balaji D and Deepak brought the Titans back in the game. Shubham Shinde’s tackles and a timely touch by Chetan Sahu gave the Titans an ALL OUT over Patna Pirates, converting a four-point deficit into a 22-20 halftime lead.
Second Half: Titans Overwhelm as Bharat Marks Second ALL OUT
The Telugu Titans began the second half on a commanding note. Bharat Hooda finished his Super 10 early enough with a good touch on Ashish Birwal, and then took Navdeep and Deepak in a stunning Super Raid, causing a second ALL OUT against Patna Pirates.
By a 10-point lead, the Titans took command. Ayan Lohchab kept the Pirates’ hopes up with another Super 10 and a brilliant two-point dubki raid, but the failure of support from Balaji D and Ankit Rana spoiled their come-from-behind chances.
Final Quarter: Bharat Seals It with a Super Raid
When the game reached its final quarter, Navdeep achieved his fourth High Five of the season, while Ayan Lohchab attempted to mount a late charge. The Pirates closed the gap to five points after imposing an ALL OUT on the Titans, but to no avail.
Bharat, another who had crossed 200 raid points this season, came up with a match-winning Super Raid, sending out Ankit Kumar Rana and Deepak to clinch a memorable victory.
The Telugu Titans stood strong on defense, with Ankit and Vijay Malik pulling off vital tackles in the last minutes to seal a 46-39 win and snuff out the Pirates’ dream run.
Match Summary: Telugu Titans vs Patna Pirates
| Match | Result | Top Raider | Top Defender | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telugu Titans vs Patna Pirates (Eliminator 3) | Telugu Titans won 46-39 | Bharat Hooda – 23 points | Navdeep – 5 tackle points | Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium |
What’s Next: Titans Meet Puneri Paltan in Qualifier 2
In this victory, the Telugu Titans head into Qualifier 2, where they will play Puneri Paltan, the PKL Season 10 winners, on Wednesday, October 29.
The winner will secure a highly sought-after entry into the PKL Season 12 Final.
PKL Season 12 – Upcoming Fixture
Qualifier 2:
Puneri Paltan vs Telugu Titans
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
